In transit to Eros, Miller listens to the station’s eerie broadcast loops and news that Protogen’s culpability is public while Earth and Mars posture. Their OPA ship grapples to Eros’ spinning docks, and Miller, aching and fatalistic, prepares for sabotage with a mismatched suit and a clear intent to finish his last job.

On the surface, technicians deploy sensors and tow the ship along the dock face to precisely place and arm fusion devices. The bombs are networked to synchronize with other teams and scrub the surface if tampering occurs, a hedge against any rescue or interference before the Nauvoo’s planned impact.

When the pickup arrives, Miller refuses evacuation. Diogo accepts his decision with a terse buona morte, and the team departs. Alone with his imagined Julie Mao for solace, Miller returns to the gutted ship, sleeps beside the armed warheads, and waits for the ramming to end Eros and his vigil.

At dawn, Miller climbs out to watch the Nauvoo’s blazing approach. He chooses not to record the moment, letting awe and resignation wash over him as the ship’s torch fills the sky and his suit chirps radiation warnings. Eros’ broadcast shifts from murmurs to a synthetic rising tone with indistinct voices.

At the instant of expected impact, Eros screams defiance and the Nauvoo streaks past. Miller realizes the ship didn’t turn; Eros did. The station’s rotation and orientation change without disturbing his boots, proving the protomolecule can control the asteroid itself. The ramming plan fails, and Eros reveals a frightening, autonomous ability to maneuver.